Estate's eyesore pub is torn down; WYRLEY BIRCH Facelift pledge after site became a magnet for vandals.

Byline: By Neil Elkes

AN EYESORE pub on the city estate dubbed Birmingham's Bronx has finally been torn down following a campaign by residents.

The former Chase pub, in Parkhouse Drive, Wyrley Birch, had become a magnet for vandals and anti-social behaviour.

Last year residents held protests demanding the authorities stop dragging their heels over a long-awaited regeneration of the estate.

They took to the rooftops because despite being promised millions of pounds of investment in new housing for several years nothing had been changed.

It was then that city housing chief John Lines pledged to speed up the process and already derelict flats have been cleared and work on children's and community centre started.

And the new owners of The Chase site, Ludgate Housing, have flattened the pub ready to build 12 two-bedroomed flats.

Coun Lines said: "I asked the owners to pull down the pub as it was a particular concern to residents and am delighted with the result."

He said that 52 further run-down properties will be bulldozed following the rehousing of 38 families.

Additional rubbish collections and special clean-up operations to remove rubbish will also take place.

Also planned for demolition is a run-down shopping parade in Parkhouse Drive

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Publication:	Birmingham Mail (England)
Date:	Oct 11, 2005
Words:	203
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